2025

Hispanic Leadership Conference

Thank you to our sponsors and attendees for making our 26th year amazing!  

We can’t wait to see you again in 2026!

2025 Conference
Title Sponsor

Unidos Podemos,
United We Can

The Coalition for Hispanic/Latino Issues & Progress (CHIP) seeks to promote self-sufficiency, cooperation and unity within the Hispanic/Latino community and promote participation in the greater community, to ensure access to available resources, and to increase involvement in the decision making process, thereby improving the quality of life for the Hispanic/Latino community.

Join us for a powerful day of knowledge-sharing and community connection featuring expert-led workshops designed to inform, empower, and inspire. Our diverse program offers something for everyone, addressing pressing social issues and practical life skills in an engaging, interactive format.

Our morning session kicks off with a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Defamation, Opinion or Free Speech?” featuring distinguished experts including L.C. Commissioner David J. Moore, La Prensa editor Linda Alvarado-Arce, and attorney Robert Cabrera. Moderated by Safety Service Director Rey Carrion, this timely conversation explores the fine line between free expression and harmful speech in today’s complex media landscape.

Dive deeper with specialized workshops on critical topics affecting our community. Learn about health disparities and social determinants of health with Erin Murphy from Lorain County Public Health, explore AI capabilities with Dr. Vince Granito, discover resources for older adults with Nicole Bellmore Pierce, navigate social media facts versus misinformation with Scot Allyn, or engage with state legislators on current bills and effective advocacy.

Looking for personal wellness? Experience chair yoga with Marie Deshuk or mental health resources with Rebecca Jones from MHARS. Our special youth component “Basta Ya” provides targeted programming for younger participants, addressing their unique needs and perspectives.

Between sessions, enjoy networking opportunities, visit information tables, and connect with community resources at our medical corner. Afternoon workshops offer additional chances to explore legal advice, consular services, and more in-depth learning.

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with community leaders, and gain practical skills to navigate today’s challenging world. Registration is limited – secure your spot today!

Schedule

7:30-9:45am

Morning Experience
& Breakfast

10am-Noon

Opening Ceremony
& Keynote Speakers

Noon-1:30pm

Lunch, Vendors, and
Medical Corner

1:30pm-2:30pm

Workshops &
Youth Leadership

2:30pm-3pm

Evaluations &
Raffles

6:00pm

Evening Gala at
Emerald Event Center

2025 Conference Speakers

Daniel A. Orneloas

Scot Allyn

Dr. Linda Alvarado-Acre

Nicole Bellmore-Pierse

Robert Cabrera

Rey Carrion

Mari Colón

Marie Contreras Deshuk

Dr. Vince Granito

Jack Hall

Rebecca Jones

J Miller

Joe Miller

David J. Moore

Erin Murphy

Presentations

Social Determinants
Non-medical factors that can influence health such as environment, healthcare, education and economic stability.

Presented By:
Erin Murphy - Director of Population Health Division at Lorain County Public Health
Panel Discussion: Defamation, Opinion or Free Speech
What’s legal? What’s a privilege? When causes harm? Why do it?

Moderated By: Rey Carrion - City of Lorain Safety Service Director
Panelists:
Dr. Linda Alvarado-Arce - La Prensa Editor
Robert Cabrera - Attorney
David J. Moore - Lorain County Commissioner
How to Respectfully Work with Immigrants and Handle Deportations
As an officer of the law, what is the proper way to detain a person and when should ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) be contacted.

Presented By:
Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall

Workshops

Click for more information about each topic.

Presented by Joe Miller
Have you ever wondered how the General Assembly in the State of
Ohio works? Want to know what bills are presently being considered
at the State level? Want to know the protocol for attending a
Legislative meeting and providing statements for or against a pending
bill? Do you have any questions for your representatives?

Presented by Scot Allyn
If you get all your news from social media, how do you know what is
true? Can you trust your sources? Do you know how to fact-check
news, so that you do not spread false information? Learn the
difference between facts, misinformation, disinformation and effective
resources available.

Presented by Mari Colon
This interactive workshop demonstrates how offenders of sexual
violence targets and grooms. It will explain the steps taken in the
process which will bring awareness and give participants the ability to
recognize and respond to signs of sexual violence while teaching
descriptions of the stages of the offenders. Resources for survivors
will be available.

Presented by Nicole Bellmore-Pierse
Learn about resources and services available to older adults in the
community who may need extra support as they age. This can include
in-home support, food delivery, kinship assistance, food insecurity,
volunteering and more. Improving health and well-being as an older
adult is essential to continued independence for this vulnerable
population.

Presented by Marie Contreras Deshuk
Improve your muscle tone and strength while sitting, stretching and
flexing. Learn proper techniques that you can practice while sitting
with the ability of adapting the poses to your own individual needs and
abilities. Discover the positive impact chair yoga can have on your
balance, mobility and overall fitness.

Presented by Dr. Vince Granito
Explore how artificial intelligence can serve as a transformative tool
for individuals and organizations to achieve greater self-sufficiency,
foster collaboration, and participate more effectively in decision-
making processes. Learn actionable strategies to use AI to unlock
opportunities and improve quality of life in diverse communities.
Explore the latest developments in integrating this technology into
your personal and professional life.

Presented by Daniel Aguado Ornelas
Learn about the services provided in the community by the Mexican
Consulate and its partnerships. Learn where to find resources on
health, legal clinics, needed documents, processing visas or
passports, educational workshops, etc.

Presented by Rebecca Jones
In today's fast-paced world, maintaining composure during
challenging times is essential for personal well-being and effective
decision-making. This workshop will equip participants with practical
strategies to manage stress and stay calm amidst adversity. Program
Highlights: Understanding Stress Responses, Effective Stress
Management Techniques, Creating a Calming Environment,
Developing Emotional Resilience, and Practical Application.

Presented by Attorney Robert Cabrera
Learn the importance of an estate plan, what is its purpose and what
does it entail. Learn the difference between Life Insurance, Power of
Attorney, Health Care Proxy, Beneficiary forms, Trust, Living Will and
Last Will and Testament. An estate can include home, car,
investments, collections, furniture, bank accounts and anything you
possess. Without a plan for your future, the State laws will determine
who gets custody of your children and what happens to your assets.

Platinum Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors

NFM Lending – Team Arrocho

Riveon Mental Health & Recovery

CARESOURCE

La Prensa

Comite Mexicano de Cleveland
El Centro
Leadership Lorain County
Little Lighthouse Learning Center
Lorain County Children Services
Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall
Margaret Wong & Associates
Robert Pustay – LICKME, Inc.
UAW CAP Council
UAW Local 2192
First Federal Savings & Loan
Fligner’s Market
Joel Arredondo, Lorain Council President
Lorain City School District
Lorain County AFL-CIO
Lorain County Metro parks
Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley
Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority
Lorain Port Authority
Lorain Public Library System
Mexican American Citizens Club
Mexican Mutual Society
Sacred Heart Chapel
State Representative Joe Miller  
Voices for Children

2025 Evening Gala Entertainment

Comedian Dennis Gaxiola

Donat is a third world child raised in Upper Manhattan. A product of Washington Heights and Harlem life. A black man birthed in the islands and raised in the concrete jungle. He Graduated From SUNY Geneseo, but for ever a student of life. He tells poetic narratives in hopes of giving shape to feelings like ghost and texture to spirits.

Son Gitano

Comedy Central Bill Santiago is the first born of at least four children. He became a standup after narrowly escaping a career in journalism, facing the fact that as a comedian he was funny, but as a reporter he was a joke. It’s been said he was born to Puerto Rican immigrants, which is technically untrue, as Puerto Ricans are US citizens. Although, he’s got an uncle who was once deported to the Bronx.

DJ Abner Santiago

By way of Cleveland Ohio, performing for the first time at the Hispanic Leadership Conference, Dulce Swing is a multi-member band. Bringing the sounds of merengue, salsa, bachata, and more!